D1 ME - Meeting with Lord and Lady Coldbrook

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah walked through the Coldbrook encampment as servants were busy finishing setting up as the Lord and Lady had finally arrived. He spotted Captain Orell just outside their pavilion and greeted him.

"
Good Evening Captain,"
he said with a smile, it was an old joke between them that they referred to each other as Captain, "
I trust you had a safe journey. Are the Lord and Lady available to meet?"

[Reader]

Captain Orell greeted Ser Jorah with a salute, undercut somewhat as he returned the knight's smile at their old joke.

"
His Lordship and her ladyship are within but weary from their travels,"
he said. "
Some friendly advice - do not overstay your welcome, his lordship may be testy. Shall I announce you?"

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
If you would Captain and thank you for the warning."

[Reader]

Captain Orell tapped his halberd on the ground three times, and Lord Coldbrooks well drilled servants open the tent with their typical discipline.

Lord Coldbrook stands impatiently inside, his riding gloves in one hand while he wearily runs the other over his bald head. His wife stands some distance removed, checking the contents of a chest have arrived undamaged.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah entered the pavilion and knelt before his lord and lady.

"
Welcome to Riverrun my Lord and Lady, I trust you both had a pleasant journey."
he offered pleasantries before continuing.

"
I am here to offer a report on the day's activities and request instruction on how we should proceed."
He held off reporting that Ser Theomore was here just yet to ensure that his Lord and Lady remained calm and collected for the moment.

[Reader]

Lord Coldbrook signalled for Ser Jorah to rise, pleased to have a martial man of such ability in his service.

"
The journey was unpleasant, but nothing breaking a few Southron skulls in the melee won't cure."
From other men this might have been a joke, but Lord Coldbrook sounded deadly serious.

"
Report then, so that I may provide instruction."


Lord Coldbrook's small, sunken eyes bore in to Ser Jorah.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah rose and stood with his hands behind his back in a formal pose.

"
Our party arrived safely and have settled in. Garret and Daveth have been exploring and from I gather, meeting a few possible influential people for our needs. An incident in the marketplace seems to have earned me the notice of the Queen, that we might be able to use and Daveth and I gave bread and salt, earning the notice of Lady Tully, at least for now."


"
However, it is not all good news. Daveth had an unfortunate meeting with Lord Tullison in the Godswood, which has worsen relations between our houses over the matter of Ser Theomore."
Ser Jorah spoke the name in a grave tone. "
I had a more fruitful meeting with him earlier, so I request permission to attempt to smooth relations on this matter. Lord Tullison appeared not to know of what Ser Theomore did."
He danced around the subject of Joren.

[Garret Snow]

Garret approached the pavilion, giving a nod to the men guarding Lord Coldbrook. Bern and Cotter were both good reliable men who had shared drinks with Garret more than once. With so many strangers about, it was good to see familiar faces. He was even more glad to notice that Fenrick Atell, captain of the Riverroad Riders was no where to be seen. Captain Atell was not overly fond of Garret, and his absence was a welcome one.

Garret broke into a wide grin as he recognized Captain Orell. The old Captain of the Guard had always treated Garret well, training him in the sword and shield and instilling the values of leadership and tactics, and never demanding anything short of excellence from Garret. Clasping the old man's hand in his own, Garret noticed the strength still his fingers.

Still as strong and tough as a weirwood, Garret thought to himself fondly. "
Good to see you, Captain. Is my father within?"

[Reader]

Captain Orell nodded.

"
Aye, Ser Jorah is with your Lord father,"
gesturing for Garret to enter.

Lady Alianna Coldbrook suddenly pushes past Captain Orell, exiting the tent and white as a sheet at the mention of her dear departed son.

Even as she strides past, Lord Tomas Coldbrook speaks.

"
We have few friends enough without making new enemies. See that this nonsense is not repeated."


A flash of anger seems to seize him, as he thumps a fist in to a reading table.

"
We are guests here, but that doesn't mean we cannot expose Ser Theomore for the vile sort he is. I don't want a bloodbath, but Ser Theomore should be exposed to give my boy some manner of peace."


"
As for Lord Tullison, ignorance is no excuse. A lord has power, but responsibility comes with it. The boy may need to learn that."

[Garret Snow]

Garret nodded at Captain Orell, moving quickly to the side as Lady Alianna swept past them both. Garret's voice caught for a moment as she exited the tent. His step-mother had always been courteous, and never unkind but there was rarely warmth in her voice when she spoke to Garret. She was his father's lady wife, and the Lady of House Coldbrook but she would never be his mother. She did not love him, and he did not love her. But Joren's death had linked them all in sorrow, and Garret dropped his head respectfully as she passed.

"
My lady,"
He addressed her formally before moving into the tent. Garret nodded to Ser Jorah, clapping the Dornish knight on the shoulder before dropping to a knee before Lord Tomas. Blood or not, Lord Tomas was Garret's liege lord, and Garret would not fail to show the proper respect.

"
Father. Welcome to Riverrun."

[Reader]

Lord Coldbrook looks at his warrior son with pride, but remains a man of few words.

"
Garret,"
is all he musters, although he favours his son with a nod.

"
My thanks for the prompt report Ser Jorah, but the evening draws on. You both know our purpose here - show the southerners our strength without resorting to bloodshed - by deed and virtue we wil show them our ways are worthy of respect. Confirmation of our family's holdings should not be neglected. I will not have words or paper rob us of what steel has won. We will not have a better chance to confirm our claims than here."


Lord Coldbrook's manner makes it clear that if they're not been dismissed, they are on the verge of being dismissed.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah's heart sank as Lady Coldbrook left in a flood of tears;
he was always too blunt. He would make his apologies later.

"
I will seek out Lord Tullison to make him understand what happened."

[Reader]

"
I have faith in you Ser Jorah - we must punish Ser Theomore without inflaming the situation. Serve me in this and you will not go unrewarded."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
Thank you my Lord,"
he bowed his head, "
I shall make arrangements immediately."

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